Virgil Lawrence Davis batted .300 in 9 of his 16 seasons. In 1933 his .349 average was second in the NL to future Hall of Famer Chuck Klein‘s .368. Davis led NL catchers in assists in 1931, double plays in 1932, and total chances per game in 1934, years in which rival catchers included future Cooperstown enshrinees Gabby Hartnett and Al Lopez. Davis later backed up Ernie Lombardi at Cincinnati, and Lopez at Pittsburgh.
As a member of the 1935 Cardinals, Davis feuded with Dizzy Dean. Dean accused him of not hustling after a foul during a loss to Cincinnati, and insisted on a different catcher the next time out. Teammates sided with Davis, but manager Frankie Frisch complied with Dean’s demand. Davis managed the Pirates briefly in 1946.
